PUBLIC school teachers will receive expanded health care benefits with the introduction of a P7,000 medical allowance beginning next year, according to the Education Department.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the HMO-type benefit is a “significant increase from the present P500 medical examination allowance provided in 2020” and is a “substantial enhancement in support for teachers’ health and well-being.”
The increase is provided for in Executive Order No.64 signed by President Marcos Jr. which will provide an annual medical allowance of up to 7,000 to government employees, including public school teachers.
The allowance is intended to subsidize the cost of health maintenance organization (HMO)-type benefits.
“If we pool that together, we can secure comprehensive insurance coverage for our teachers,” Angara added.
The adjustment represents a 1,300 increase from the current P500 medical allowance which was primarily intended to cover the cost of diagnostic tests.
In addition to the medical allowance, public school teachers also received a P5,000 tax-free teaching allowance this school year, and the amount will increase to P10,000 starting school year 2025-2026.
Around 900,000 public school teachers nationwide are expected to benefit from the latest DepEd initiative.
